Village of Boston Heights: Council Meeting January-2006

Index Home Contact Us!

Boston Heights Overlook

This is a publication of Boston Heights Overlook.
Not an official public document by, of or for
the Village of Boston Heights OH.

VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS

45 E. Boston Mills Road
Hudson, OH 44236

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - January 11, 2006 - 8:00 P.M.

AGENDA

[and Editor's Notes on Council Meeting.
Please note that these are not official minutes of the Council meeting.
Please contact the Village Hall to obtain a copy of the official minutes.]

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, Council generally votes to "suspend the rules" and dispense with the three readings of each ordinance otherwise required by ORC 731.17.]

ROLL CALL

Council members present: Bill Goncy (President Pro Tempore), Mike Cheung, Jim Hudson, Janet Miller, and Teri Slane; absent: Paul Palumbo.
Also present: Mayor Ray McFall, Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman, Solicitor Russ Pry, and Engineer Steve Schreiber.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MINUTES PRESENTED FOR CHANGE, CORRECTION OR ADOPTION

Minutes of the December 2005 meeting were approved.

CORRESPONDENCE

Solicitor Russ Pry noted that the Village's Fairview Cemetery was now properly registered with the State of Ohio; the corresponding certificate has been routed to the Clerk-Treasurer's office.

Clerk-Treasurer Carol Zeman read a letter of thanks from former Council member Annette Miller.

Council President (Pro Tempore) Bill Goncy reported that the state's Department of Agriculture will send a representative to the Council Finance Committee meeting, to discuss possible funding sources for Village capital building projects.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

The People were silent this month.

LEGISLATION

ORDINANCE A-2006

[Adopted as Ord. 1-2006]

AN ORDINANCE VERIFYING AND RATIFYING ALL ORDINANCES PASSED BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2005, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

ORDINANCE B-2005

[First Reading]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 139.03(a)(2) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

Lacking a motion to "suspend the rules", this was the first of (up to) three readings of this ordinance.
This ordinance would remove the current requirements that a firefighter live in, and be an "elector of", the Village. (That is, be a registered voter). Essentially it would repeal the residency requirement for Village firefighters. The new criterion would be that they live within "a 7 mile radius of the corporate limits" and be "readily accessible". This change was reportedly inspired by a firefighter moving out of the Village, with another soon to follow. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, it was suggested that the residency rule had been overlooked in the past, when firefighters moved out of the Village.
Update: It seems that there was a disagreement about the level of urgency in this matter, as a Special Council Meeting was called by the Mayor for 18 January 2005 to address it.

ORDINANCE C-2006

[Adopted as Ord. 2-2006]

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE REPLATTING OF EXISTING LOTS 3, 4 AND 18 IN THE MEGHAN'S LANE SUBDIVISION TO COMBINE THE THREE EXISTING LOTS INTO TWO LOTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This matter is further explained here.

RESOLUTION A-2006

[Adopted as Resolution 1-2006]

A RESOLUTION ELECTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS.

In an unusual display of discord, Councilor Bill Goncy and newly elected Councilor Teri Slane battled it out for the office of Council President. (The primary duties of this position are to act for the Mayor when that official is unavailable, and to chair the Council Finance Committe, which is also a sort of Council work session or committee-of-the-whole.). Councilor Mike Cheung nominated Mr. Goncy, and Councilor Jim Hudson nominated Ms. Slane. In the absence of Councilor Paul Palumbo, a roll-call vote gave the nod to the long-time incumbent, Mr. Goncy. Note that in the case of a tie, Mayor Ray McFall would have been called upon to cast a deciding vote. Here is the breakdown:
For Ms. Slane: Mr. Hudson, Ms. Slane.
For Mr. Goncy: Ms. Miller, Dr. Cheung, Mr. Goncy

RESOLUTION B-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 2-2006]

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2005

Councilor Janet Miller reported that she had, in fact, reviewed these statements.

RESOLUTION C-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 3-2006]

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL TO THE VARIOUS COUNCIL COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 2006.

Committee assignments are:

Fairview Park Cemetery Committee: Miller (Chair), Goncy, Palumbo

Finance Committee: Cheung, Goncy (Chair), Miller

Public Safety I (Police) Committee: Hudson, Goncy, Palumbo (Chair)

Public Safety II (Fire) Committee: Slane, Miller (Chair), Cheung

Building and Recreation Committee: Palumbo, Slane (Chair), Hudson

Streets and Highways Committee: Miller, Goncy, Hudson (Chair)

Zoning Committee: Hudson, Slane, Cheung (Chair)

Council Representative on Planning Committee: Cheung

RESOLUTION D-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 4-2006]

A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF OFFICIALS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS, OHIO FOR THE YEAR 2006.

The employees and officials are:

Electrical Inspector: Richard Donley (backup: Ronald Marusiak)

Village Engineer: Adache Ciuni Lynn Associates (assigned to Steve Scheiber)

Cemetery Sexton: Jim Robinson

Clerk of Mayor's Court: Maryann Bode

Assistant Office Clerk: Kathi Cole

"part-time help" for Clerk-Treasurer: Kathy Riedel

Class I,II,II Building Inspector and Plans Examiner: Ron Marusiak

Backup Building Inspector: Russ Rodic

Zoning Inspector: David Himes

The ordinance allows for termination of the Village Engineer or any inspectors if their rates increase. However, the ordinance language seems to be in error, as it mentions only such increases "during the calendar year 2005" (sic).

RESOLUTION E-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 5-2006]

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING
DON POLYAK
TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS.

Mr. Don Polyak lives on W. Hines Hill Road at the Wooded View development. He replaces Mr. Kevin Lightner, who had completed the term originally filled by Mr. John Codrea.

RESOLUTION F-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 6-2006]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK-TREASURER OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO EXECUTE A DRAINAGE EASEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS WITH ERNEST J. TIRPAK AND DIANA E. TIRPAK, TRUSTEES.

This is pursuant to a Village project to improve storm water drainage along Brandywine Road.

RESOLUTION G-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 7-2006]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTY SWAT TEAM.

At the recent Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that one of the Village's officers had completed SWAT training with the County squad, and would benefit from some experience with actual SWAT operations.

RESOLUTION H-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 8-2006]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH ORIANA HOUSE, INC., FOR THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SERVICES.

At the recent Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that one of the Village's officers had completed SWAT training with the County squad, and would benefit from some experience with actual SWAT operations.

RESOLUTION I-2005

[Adopted as Resolution 9-2006]

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK-TREASURER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT BY THE COUNTY OF THE OHIO BASIC BUILDING CODE WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS.

Councilor Teri Slane abstained from this vote; all others approved.
The ordinance provides for the County Building Department to take over all permit issuing, inspection and enforcement of the Ohio Basic Building Code, except for signs, starting 1 May 2006. This includes essentially all commercial construction, but not single-family residential, which is regulated by a separate code. It is not clear who, if anyone, will enforce the building code provisions for sign construction. The County will collect all associated fees, and rebate 20% to the Village every 6 months.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilor Mike Cheung reported on the Planning Commission & Board of Zoning Appeals meeting of 4 January 2006. The next PC/BZA meeting will be Wednesday, 1 February 2006, 7PM at the Village Hall.

Council President (Pro Tempore) Bill Goncy stated that he had reviewed the bank reconciliation for the Mayor's Court through December 2005.

Mr. Goncy noted that the Village's 2005 Storm Water Management report was due 15 February 2006. He also mentioned that he had attended an Open House at the Krejci Dump cleanup site, adjacent to the Village, and that the issue of potholes on Hines Hill Road was being addressed by the project contractor. He also reported on the Peninsula Police Station Open House, noting that the new station was built entirely by donated funds and labor. Mr. Goncy also mentioned an Eagle Scout candidate in the Village who was looking for a worthy improvement project.

Village Engineer Steve Schreiber stated that his firm, Adache Ciuni Lynn Associates, would hold their rates for 2006.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Ray McFall announced that the terms of two members of the Park Board were up. His Honor re-appointed both Cari Darrow and (Albert) "Bud" Ball.

ADJOURN

Some documents are Public Domain Information from the Village of Boston Heights OH or other public entities.
Other materials Copyright 2001-2006 W.J.Hinkle and Boston Heights Overlook
Boston Heights Overlook and BostonHeights.Org are not affiliated with the Village of Boston Heights OH.

ORDINANCE A-2006 [Adopted as Ord. 1-2006]	AN ORDINANCE VERIFYING AND RATIFYING ALL ORDINANCES PASSED BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2005, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
ORDINANCE B-2005 [First Reading]	AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 139.03(a)(2) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Lacking a motion to "suspend the rules", this was the first of (up to) three readings of this ordinance. This ordinance would remove the current requirements that a firefighter live in, and be an "elector of", the Village. (That is, be a registered voter). Essentially it would repeal the residency requirement for Village firefighters. The new criterion would be that they live within "a 7 mile radius of the corporate limits" and be "readily accessible". This change was reportedly inspired by a firefighter moving out of the Village, with another soon to follow. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, it was suggested that the residency rule had been overlooked in the past, when firefighters moved out of the Village. Update: It seems that there was a disagreement about the level of urgency in this matter, as a Special Council Meeting was called by the Mayor for 18 January 2005 to address it.
ORDINANCE C-2006 [Adopted as Ord. 2-2006]	AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE REPLATTING OF EXISTING LOTS 3, 4 AND 18 IN THE MEGHAN'S LANE SUBDIVISION TO COMBINE THE THREE EXISTING LOTS INTO TWO LOTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. This matter is further explained here.
RESOLUTION A-2006 [Adopted as Resolution 1-2006]	A RESOLUTION ELECTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS. In an unusual display of discord, Councilor Bill Goncy and newly elected Councilor Teri Slane battled it out for the office of Council President. (The primary duties of this position are to act for the Mayor when that official is unavailable, and to chair the Council Finance Committe, which is also a sort of Council work session or committee-of-the-whole.). Councilor Mike Cheung nominated Mr. Goncy, and Councilor Jim Hudson nominated Ms. Slane. In the absence of Councilor Paul Palumbo, a roll-call vote gave the nod to the long-time incumbent, Mr. Goncy. Note that in the case of a tie, Mayor Ray McFall would have been called upon to cast a deciding vote. Here is the breakdown: For Ms. Slane: Mr. Hudson, Ms. Slane. For Mr. Goncy: Ms. Miller, Dr. Cheung, Mr. Goncy
RESOLUTION B-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 2-2006]	A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2005 Councilor Janet Miller reported that she had, in fact, reviewed these statements.
RESOLUTION C-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 3-2006]	A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL TO THE VARIOUS COUNCIL COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 2006. Committee assignments are: Fairview Park Cemetery Committee: Miller (Chair), Goncy, Palumbo Finance Committee: Cheung, Goncy (Chair), Miller Public Safety I (Police) Committee: Hudson, Goncy, Palumbo (Chair) Public Safety II (Fire) Committee: Slane, Miller (Chair), Cheung Building and Recreation Committee: Palumbo, Slane (Chair), Hudson Streets and Highways Committee: Miller, Goncy, Hudson (Chair) Zoning Committee: Hudson, Slane, Cheung (Chair) Council Representative on Planning Committee: Cheung
RESOLUTION D-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 4-2006]	A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF OFFICIALS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS, OHIO FOR THE YEAR 2006. The employees and officials are: Electrical Inspector: Richard Donley (backup: Ronald Marusiak) Village Engineer: Adache Ciuni Lynn Associates (assigned to Steve Scheiber) Cemetery Sexton: Jim Robinson Clerk of Mayor's Court: Maryann Bode Assistant Office Clerk: Kathi Cole "part-time help" for Clerk-Treasurer: Kathy Riedel Class I,II,II Building Inspector and Plans Examiner: Ron Marusiak Backup Building Inspector: Russ Rodic Zoning Inspector: David Himes The ordinance allows for termination of the Village Engineer or any inspectors if their rates increase. However, the ordinance language seems to be in error, as it mentions only such increases "during the calendar year 2005" (sic).
RESOLUTION E-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 5-2006]	A RESOLUTION APPOINTING DON POLYAK TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS. Mr. Don Polyak lives on W. Hines Hill Road at the Wooded View development. He replaces Mr. Kevin Lightner, who had completed the term originally filled by Mr. John Codrea.
RESOLUTION F-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 6-2006]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK-TREASURER OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO EXECUTE A DRAINAGE EASEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS WITH ERNEST J. TIRPAK AND DIANA E. TIRPAK, TRUSTEES. This is pursuant to a Village project to improve storm water drainage along Brandywine Road.
RESOLUTION G-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 7-2006]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTY SWAT TEAM. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that one of the Village's officers had completed SWAT training with the County squad, and would benefit from some experience with actual SWAT operations.
RESOLUTION H-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 8-2006]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH ORIANA HOUSE, INC., FOR THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SERVICES. At the recent Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Joe Varga explained that one of the Village's officers had completed SWAT training with the County squad, and would benefit from some experience with actual SWAT operations.
RESOLUTION I-2005 [Adopted as Resolution 9-2006]	A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK-TREASURER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT BY THE COUNTY OF THE OHIO BASIC BUILDING CODE WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE OF BOSTON HEIGHTS. Councilor Teri Slane abstained from this vote; all others approved. The ordinance provides for the County Building Department to take over all permit issuing, inspection and enforcement of the Ohio Basic Building Code, except for signs, starting 1 May 2006. This includes essentially all commercial construction, but not single-family residential, which is regulated by a separate code. It is not clear who, if anyone, will enforce the building code provisions for sign construction. The County will collect all associated fees, and rebate 20% to the Village every 6 months.